Chapter 26: Greetings
Chapter 26: Greetings
“What is wrong?” Gideon could feel that something happened to her, “Riannon?”
“My wolf!” She practically gasped for air, “It just spoke to me! Just for a second… but she was there!”
“What?” He was kneeling before her in seconds, trying to contain his own excitement,“Are you sure?”
This was all he wanted. This was all he needed. If Onyx was back, she would recognise him and it would solve all problems. They would be able to just be together!
“Yes,” she mumbled, “It is just a faint whisper, but it was her. Plus, it wasn’t the first time. She did the same the other day.”
“What did she say?” He took her hands in his and for the first time, the driver had to make a sharp turn for real, almost making him fall to her feet. Not that he minded that.
Riannon stumbled. Wouldn’t it be too much sharing? Especially considering everything that he had just told her? She didn’t want to give him false hope or…
“It’s fine,” it was as if he read her mind again, “I am sorry I asked. It’s none of my business.”
It was his business, of course, but he did not want to push her.
He let go of her hands and returned to his seat. Yet a happy grin was plastered all over his face. It was impossible to contain it this time.
They arrived at their destination quite soon and just by looking out of the window Ria
knew that she was in a whole new world.
Their pack, The Silver River, was considered one of the richest. But what she saw at the Lycan’s realm was far beyond her even most bold expectations. The houses were way bigger and more luxurious.
There were fountains and elaborate sculptures everywhere and beautifully trimmed gardens seemed never-ending. What surrounded her now seemed affluent and screamed that lycans were the elite of shifter’s world.
She saw warriors training; she saw children playing, couples strolling around and holding hands. It was a happy place. Not at all how she imagined it. Before she met Gideon, he thought of Lycans as super- strong and majestic creatures… But cold and arrogant. It was strange to see them do all the things that people in her pack were doing.
“Ready?” He asked her as he opened the door and for a second there, she thought that he was afraid to see her reaction.
He got out first and offered her his hand which she accepted. As soon as she was out, around them seemed to stop what they were doing to look at her. This was way more attention than she anticipated but she knew how to handle it well.
“Your pack is beautiful,” she praised the place and Gideon’s smile grew even wider.
“I am happy that you like it,” he said, wishing to add that this was going to be her home soon. But yet again, he had to suppress the urge not to overwhelm her. He noticed people watching them too and let out a growl to let them know that they were better to mind their own business. And they all snapped out of it, getting back to what they were doing.
“You are finally here!” Reid walked out and stretched his arms as if to give Riannon a hug, but yet another growl from his king made him put those hands back.
“Beta Reid,” Ria greeted him, “Nice to see you again.”
“Likewise, Luna,” he said, winking at his friend. He was supposed to say Luna Thorn. Because she wasn’t actually his Luna. But even though Ria gave him a questioning glance, he did not add his last
name. “I’ll take your luggage, Luna,” the Beta took her bag from the driver’s hands.
“Thank you,” she gave him a soft smile. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
“No problem,” he chuckled, “Hmm. And it smells nice too.”
Gideon couldn’t control Mars anymore and another growl left his chest. It was probably another joke of Reid’s but even the thought of him looking at Ria that way made his blood boil.
“Easy there, my king,” his Beta winked at him, “I am just being polite.”
They walked just a few feet towards a mansion… No, a mansion wasn’t the correct word here. It was a palace. A modern and extremely beautiful palace.
As always, Gideon opened the door for her and give her way. And she tried her best not to gasp as the white marble of the interior almost blinded her. The design was minimalistic, but you could feel class in it and Riannon loved it instantly.
“Is that her?” She heard a cheerful voice and saw a young girl running down the stairs, followed by a guy who seemed just a few years older than her. The girl was a very cute brunette with wavy hair reaching her shoulders and resembled Gideon a lot.
And the guy… she recognised those red curls at once.
Their eyes met and she could tell that he knew who she was too. It was the same boy she saved seven years ago. But bigger. Almost a grown man.
“Riannon!” The girl threw herself in her arms, breaking Ria’s train of thought, “At last we
“Manners, Savannah,” Gideon grunted, running his hand over his face, and shooting a death stare at Reid who blabbered the truth about who she was. His sister couldn’t keep secrets even if her life
depended on it.
“Sorry,” the girl giggled innocently but there was no regret in her eyes whatsoever, “I got overwhelmed. It’s not every day that my brother finds his…”
Reid coughed loudly all of a sudden, “Savvy!”
“His… allies,” luckily she followed his lead on time, stretching the words unnaturally as she came up with them, “…to our house! And, we owe you so much!I am Savannah, Gideon’s sister.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” Riannon smiled gracefully, “And it’s incredibly nice to meet you, princess.”
“Just call me Savvy,” the girl pushed the guy next to her forward, hissing at him, “Come on! Say hi too! It’s her!”
He smiled at the Luna awkwardly, stretching his hand.
“Do you remember me?” He reminded her of Reid a lot. The same good looks and red hair. But he still had a look of innocence about him. This one did not turn out a player, unlike his uncle.
“How can I forget,” Ria smiled, “You grew up so much since the last time I saw you, Kyle.” “Luna,” he bowed and placed a small kiss on her fingers. Just like a gentleman would.
“All right!” His uncle interjected, “She saved your life but now you are walking on a thin line, nephew. Trust me. The Luna needs some rest anyway.”
“Just call me Ria,” she found herself saying all of a sudden, “All of you.”
They smiled and nodded at her, clearly wanting to speak more. But Gideon stood in their
way, separating them from his guest. However, his sister ignored that and he found her taking Riannon’s hand and pulling her up the stairs.
“Come on,” she giggled, “I prepared the best room for you! You’ll see!”
“Thank you,” Ria looked at him as if she was seeking permission to follow the princess. Or maybe she wanted his help because Savannah was practically dragging her at this point.
“I was bold and prepared a few dresses for you too,” she went on, not caring for anyone in the world.
“It’s very kind of you, Savvy, but I brought my own,” Riannon tried to explain to her.
“N-no,” the Luna shook her head as she looked back again and was pleased to see Reid and Gideon follow them too.
“Then it’s good that I took care of it!” the princess snorted, “Otherwise, what would you wear for the White party?!”
“The WHAT PARTY?” the lycan king growled, shooting a furious gaze at his Beta.
“Yeah, about that,” the man cleared his throat, “Apparently, it’s a done deal already and impossible to cancel.”
“The hell the two of you are thinking about!” Gideon growled via the mind link.
“Oh, G,” Reid’s face suddenly got serious, “It’s not our biggest problem. Trust me.”
“What happened?” he asked, starting to walk slowly.
“I have to report something to you,” the Beta stopped in the middle of the hallway and they let the girls walk away first…